'I felt like he was with me!' X Factor singer Stacy Francis makes it through boot camp stage after missing father's funeral

If Stacy Francis moved X Factor USA viewers on premiere night, there wasn't a dry eye in the house - or across America - as she told the judges about her father's unexpected death.

The 42-year-old single mother talked of the abuse she'd suffered at the hands of a partner at her first audition, but tonight after a stumble during yesterday's challenge, she had an even more heartbreaking revelation.

Singing out her pain: Stacy Francis missed her father's funeral to compete and made it through to the next stage, 'I have a new angel' she told presenter Steve Jones

She told the judges that the day she arrived at bootcamp, she checked into her hotel only to be informed that her father had passed away suddenly.

'The day that I arrived at bootcamp, the first day. You guys don't know this but my dad died,' she said.

Before adding: 'I got to the hotel and checked in but my father passed away, so I've had to deal with the agony and guilt and leaving my mother to deal with it.

'For the rest of my life I'll have to deal with missing my father's funeral, but it's what he would've wanted... for me to follow my dream.

Another premiere night competitor, the brave Rachel Crow, now 14, who mentioned she’d like to win the $5 million prize so she doesn’t have to share the bathroom with her whole family, secured her safety with a breathtaking rendition of Beyonce’s 'If I Were A Boy'.

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She joined the rest of the girls, who are to be mentored by Simon, 51 , and include platinum blonde Tora Woloshin and tattooed Tiah Tolliver.

Nicole Scherzinger reluctantly accepted the over 30s group, having favoured the girls, but was rewarded with incredible Francis.

Also being mentored by Nicole is 59-year-old LeRoy Bell, who is taking his last shot at the big time and burrito maker Josh Krajick, from Columbus, Ohio.

Paula Abdul will coach the groups category, which included siblings from California, Temecula The Brewer Boys, as well as The Stereo Hogzz.

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There was a shock call-back for 14 members of the girls and boys group, as two groups were made from those rejected earlier - to make up eight groups.

So that means eight boys, eight girls, eight over 30s and eight groups.

The full list of contestants carrying on to work with the judges at their homes are: